Harold strike stuns Mariners

Central Coast Mariners Youth suffered their second consecutive defeat in the Foxtel National Youth League on Saturday after Chris Harold’s 75th minute goal earned a 2-1 win for Perth Glory Youth.

The Mariners enjoyed plenty of positive play and created numerous opportunities to score more than their one goal in the encounter at the Club’s Centre of Excellence, but well-taken opportunities by Harold in the second stanza and Slobodan Vulin in the first 45 helped Perth Youth take all three competition points back across the Nullarbor.

Sam Perre scored the only goal of the game for Stu Jacobs’ boys just minutes into the second half when he placed a precise finish beyond Glory custodian Jack Duncan following a sweet ball in from the left. Only moments early, substitute attacker Josh Bingham had rattled the crossbar with a fierce header.

Mariners Youth were on top early in the game and had chances to take the lead in the fixture through Anthony Kalik and Jake McGing. Kalik forced Duncan into a save from a set piece, while McGing’s header from a corner struck the side netting.

Perre put the ball into the back of the net for the junior yellow and navy 17 minutes into the match following Tom Slater’s scuffed shot, but his effort was ruled out for offside.

In the 38th minute the Mariners missed a golden chance to break the deadlock. Matt Simon struck a strong shot against the post, before Kalik sent the rebound from close range over the crossbar.

Vulin put Glory ahead just before the half time break when Mariners Youth failed to clear their lines. The Glory midfielder secured possession then dinked a shot into the back of Nicholas Sorras’ net from range.

The Mariners got back on level terms just after the restart when Perre made the most of his opportunity, however despite plenty of effort and energy from Jacobs’ charges, Harold’s finish from outside the box 15 minutes from time was enough for Glory Youth to secure their third win of the campaign.

Vulin was sent off late in the game after receiving his second yellow card of the contest.

Central Coast Mariners Youth will play their next Foxtel National Youth League fixture away to Adelaide United on Sunday 16 November.